Reading and Writing 11

Formulating Counterclaims
What is a claim?
main argument
 What is a Counterclaims

Counterclaims are claims

made to rebut a previous
claim. To rebut means to
contradict someone’s
statement through a formal
argument. They provide a
contrasting perspective to
the main argument.
 Example:

Facebook starts to remove

recommendations for
political, and social groups.
To be able to locate counterclaims to an argument, remember the following:

Show competence and Examine different

familiarity with the perspectives and not just
01 writer’s topic. 02 passively accepting the
writer’s claim.

Consider the topic, and Clarify your personal

make sure you are willing position on the topic.
03 to engage different
viewpoints from your 04
own.
 example

Martha is an incoming grade 11 student. She has been using a basic cellphone
ever since she was in junior high school. She is very eager to go back to school
and be productive but when she learned about the integration with technology
and digital tools to extend in the classrooms beyond the constraints of traditional
walls, particularly in the public school due to the global pandemic, her
excitement turned into frustration. Martha desperately wants to have a
smartphone so she can have access to the internet. Having this in mind, she tells
her father, Mang Tonyo, that she needs a smartphone. Mang Tonyo, thinking
only of the additional expense, simply says, “No.”
 example

Martha has made her claim – asking for a smartphone.

Mang Tonyo has made his counterclaim – opposing Martha’s claim
 example

Martha must offer valid reasons to convince Mang Tonyo that she needs
the smartphone because it has access to internet and so he needs to provide
her with one. Martha might provide evidence of the necessity of using
smartphone nowadays as part of the new normal life in the time of
CoronaVirus. Martha’s reasoning may include a description of how
important smartphone is as far as convenience and flexibility in on-line
distance learning are concerned.
 example

In this example of counterclaim, Mang Tonyo now needs to support his

refusal to provide Martha with a smartphone. He should be ready to give
solid, substantiated reasons for his refusal to provide something that the
family has been spending for all those years. This may include evidence of
the family’s inability to send her and her siblings to a private school, and that
his budget is not sufficient enough to afford
a brand new smartphone since the family income has suffered due to
COVID-19.
 Four Elements of Argument

Begin by brainstorming ideas and

Create an outline that includes the main
concepts related to the subject. Make a
01 list of adjectives and descriptive words
that can be used to paint a picture of the
02 points of your discourse. This will help
you organize your thoughts and ensure
that your writing is cohesive.
subject.

Once you have written your discourse,

Begin writing your discourse. Use vivid
03 language to bring your topic to life and
make sure to include sensory details.
carefully edit it for any errors or typos.
04 Make sure that the transitions between
your paragraphs make sense and that
your writing flows smoothly.
 1. CLAIM

is a statement that asserts facts based

on one’s understanding about a
particular topic or issue.

In the given example, Martha asking his father

to buy her a smartphone is an
example of a claim.
 2. COUNTERCLAIM

is just the opposite of claim. It is a statement

that contradicts one’s claim and is usually
proven and supported by both reasons and
evidences.

Mang Tonyo’s negative response to Martha’s claim is an

example of counterclaim.
 3. REASON

- is the part of an argument where a

statement offers an explanation behind
a party’s claim.
Martha’s offering of valid reasons to convince
Mang Tonyo that she needs the smartphone is
an example of reason.
 4. EVIDENCE

is the statement that proves the truth of a

claim and generally leads to the
conclusion of an argument.

Martha provides evidence of the necessity of

using smartphone as part of the new normal life
in the time of CoronaVirus is an example of
evidence.
 Sum up:

a. Claim – main argument

b. Counterclaim- opposite of
claim/ negating the claim
c. Reason – tells why a claim is
made
d. Evidence – fact or research to
support the claim and reason.
 Example:
People gather and swim at Repulse Bay as beaches re-open in
Hong Kong on Saturday, along with swimming pools and the
relaxing of Covid 19 related social distancing rules. Hong Kong
eased its health restrictions following a decrease in COVID-19
infections in the region, allowing beaches and swimming pools
to reopen as well as cinemas and theme parks to increase
capacity from 50 to 75 percent.
 Possible counterclaim:

I don’t agree with the ideas of re-

opening the beaches because social
distancing is uncontrollable.
 reason:

Social distancing is uncontrollable in

public places.
 Evidence:

The people in Italy believed the virus

already decreased in the last few
months but after the re-opening of
some establishments, it has surged
again.
 Example:
There has been much discussions on allowing face to face
classes in some areas. Some argue that face to face classes
should be allowed as there are only few cases in the specific
places.
However, the value of face to face classes has been called
into halt a halt as Duterte banned it until COVID 19
vaccines becomes available as there’s a high possibility that
the virus could spread easily.
 Activity 1:
Identify whether the following statements are CLAIM, COUNTERCLAIM, REASON or
EVIDENCE. Then pick out the word, clause, or phrase that proves your answer.
____________ 1. If you want to keep people around you, continue to open the door of friendship
and always accentuate the positive.
____________ 2. I am a child of a loving God who created me after His own image. I am happy for
who I am, and I don’t have to be someone I am not.
____________ 3. I don’t think so. Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution explains that humans
evolved to from monkeys.
____________ 4. I did not come from the apes because I don’t look like one of them!
____________ 5. Since we are blessed with the freedom to act for ourselves, it is up
to us to choose good from evil.
 Activity 2:
Below is a representation of our modern-day heroes, our OFWs created by
Wendell Almasco, a former senior high school student. Formulate
counterclaims out of the claims written on the table below. Be guided by the
scoring rubric that follows after the claim

CLAIM COUNTERCLAIM
1. Millions of Filipinos have left the
Philippines in order to look for greener pastures
abroad.

2. Most Filipinos are more excited to see

the balikbayan boxes than their OFW
families and relatives.
SCORING RUBRIC:
Thank you for
listening!